The Human Genome Project (HGP)
Introduction
Technological advancements have seen tremendous improvements in the field of research with the medical field benefiting a great deal. Rapid developments have seen the invention of new medical procedures especially with finding probable cures to chronic and terminal illnesses. Scientists have gone to the extent of trying to understand the genetic configuration of each person in order to detect and or prevent the occurrence of some genetic disorders. This led to the birth of the human genome project, a conception of researchers from across the world which began in 1990 and ended in 2003. The project was aimed at mapping human genes to understand the concept of at the end of the project, the researchers were for the first time able to understand the genetic blueprint of modern human beings.
The Human Genome Project (HGP)
In collaboration with the private sector, other federal and international organizations, the national human genome research institute (NHGRI) initiated a 15-year project in 1990 dubbed the human genome program (HGP). The uniqueness of the genomes in each individual is what pushed scientists and researchers to collaborate their ideas in bringing closer the understanding of the basics of genetics through gene mapping. This process allows medical personnel to understand the medical behavior of an individual while also understanding the process of how some pathogens are formed. Scientists and researchers are as a result able to determine the probability of the occurrence of a particular condition in an individual depending on their gene sequence.
Since the first human genome was mapped in 2003, there have been tremendous developments over the years in terms of research and development. According to Phillips et al. (2018) gene mapping is now widely in the market compared to a decade ago. This shows that the adoption of the gene mapping process is being well received and people can access the service more conveniently compared to before. Currently, genetic information is being used to detect faulty genes and how they are set to affect the individual and their genetic line. As such, parents are able to get proper advice before getting pregnant on the best approach to avoiding passing on the genome down to their generations.
The manifestation of chronic and terminal illnesses such as cancer in society has also seen practitioners reconstruct the mutation process of cancerous cells in the occurrence of cancer. Today, individuals can tell of their medical future. Genetic mapping has also been vital in the prevention and treatment of some of the most common genetic disorders. Slade, I., & Burton 2016 notes that currently, 1 in 17 individuals in the UK are at the risk of developing such conditions hence the need for gene mapping. Luckily, the HGP team shared their findings with the rest of the world allowing for expansive research in the medical field. The continued adaptation of the genomics as the future of modern medical practice has enabled physicians and scientists to edge a step closer to finding a lasting solution to some of the most challenging medical conditions. Initially, it took long periods, and a lot of resources before gene mapping could be completed. Today, genetic mapping has become less expensive in terms of time and financial requirements as it is gradually adopted across the globe.
Origin of technology
The human genome project as earlier indicated was initiated in 1990 bringing together scientists and researchers from across the globe. Initially, the project was to be run by the United States through the NHGRI formerly the national center for human genome research. Just like in most other researches and scientific findings, HGP was not conceived out of the blues. Initially, there had been a limited allocation of resources and indulgence in genetic research. Individual scientists and researchers had carried out research determining the base sequence of human genes based on results from their private labs. However, the need for cures for the various types of the chronic, terminal, and hereditary conditions saw the need for international cooperation and continuation of research into genetics that began way back in the 19th century. Gregor Mendel, an Australian scientist, and teacher founded the basics of plant genetics by determining that plant offspring inherit characteristics from each parent. This would later develop into more complex molecular genetics in the 20th century that culminated in the founding of the human genome project in 1990.
The human genome project is therefore a child of historical research that evolved over the years. from the sampling of plant genes to molecular genetics that dealt with the genetic transmission, genes are now studied on their own in determining faulty genes and the probability of developing disorders from as early as before a child is conceived. Currently, scientists have perfected their art in genomics and are relying on computing and programming to run gene mapping. The project therefore never sought to discredit the findings of previous researches rather it complemented them. The expansion of the research process has now seen the coming together of both the private and public sectors in furthering research in genomics.